RADIO
We approach Week 6 of the fantasy season facing a landscape of bye weeks, injuries, and underachieving studs (looking at you Najee Harris) at the running back position. The limited pool of consistent running backs has fantasy managers digging deep for the next bench-stash lottery ticket.
Week 5 saw Indianapolis Colts running back Deon Jackson propelled to the top of the depth chart after Nyheim Hines left the field to be evaluated for a concussion in the first quarter. After teasing a bit of hope for starter Jonathan Taylor (ankle) or Nyheim Hines (concussion) to return to the lineup, the Colts officially ruled them both out for their Week 6 matchup with Jacksonville. This leaves Deon Jackson as the anticipated favorite to lead the backfield with support from Phillip Lindsay and D’Vonte Price.
If you’re struggling with a Jonathan Taylor-sized hole in the heart of your lineup, can you trust Deon Jackson to slide in as a fantasy starter? Let’s break down what we know to determine if Deon should be on your roster for Week 6.
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What Has Deon Jackson Done So Far?
Deon Jackson joined the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines are the stallions among Colts in this offense, and their presence has limited Jackson’s career opportunities thus far. Through his first 12 games with Indianapolis, he accumulated just 28 yards on 15 carries.
Jackson saw a career-high 17 touches when filling in as the lead back against the Broncos in Week 5. He produced 62 rushing yards and 29 receiving yards on four receptions to finish the week at RB25 in half-PPR scoring.
He outpaced Phillip Lindsay with 13 carries to Lindsay’s 11 and was on the field for 58% of offensive snaps.
His involvement in the passing game was encouraging. He averaged a solid 7.9 yards after the catch per reception (YAC/R) and put his versatility on display with a few dynamic plays in the open field.
We have an admittedly small sample size for Jackson in his NFL career, but his heavy usage through his first game in the spotlight suggests he should be in line for significant volume in Week 6.
How Have the Jaguars Performed Against Fantasy Football RBs?
Jacksonville’s defense ranks 11th in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, allowing an average of 22.1 half-PPR fantasy points per game to the position through five weeks.
The Jaguars limited Jonathan Taylor to just 54 rushing yards on nine carries in their Week 2 matchup. This is alarming if you consider the fact that, well, Jonathan Taylor is better than Deon Jackson. The Colts have since made several significant adjustments to their offensive line, however, and they host the Jags at home this time around. Jackson should improve the team’s stats in the Week 6 rematch against a beatable rushing defense.
Should I Start Deon Jackson in Week 6 of Fantasy Football?
When I was 11, my friends and I got our hands on some fireworks at the neighborhood July 4th party. A couple of moms stepped in to take them away and replace them with sparklers. That’s how it feels as a Jonathan Taylor owner with Deon Jackson in the starting lineup for Week 6. It’s still enough to keep you interested, but it’s hard to ignore the prevailing thought of “what could be.”
Deon Jackson gave viewers a reason to stay awake during last week’s game against the Broncos. His anticipated volume should put him in a position to produce serviceable fantasy numbers again in Week 6. Phillip Lindsay will also be involved but expect Jackson to get the majority of carries and mix in with the passing game.
Given the unpredictable nature of running back health in the NFL, Jackson could fill in a missing piece to help you secure a fantasy victory. View him as an RB2/flex play with the upside for more if he reaches the end zone.
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